“Mystery woman” Isabel Lyon was Mark Twain’s personal assistant in the final stages of his life. Despite years of complex interdependence, Twain was ultimately to denounce Lyon publicly, using outrageous invective against her even in his private correspondence. Whatever lay behind such outbursts and caused the iconic writer to break with his carefully crafted and cool public persona are subjects that Laura Trombley explores in her groundbreaking new book, Mark Twain’s Other Woman: The Hidden Story of His Final Years.

A foremost expert on the great American writer, Trombley was featured in Ken Burns’ documentary on Mark Twain. Among her other works are Constructing Mark Twain: New Directions in Scholarship and Mark Twain in the Company of Women.

Moderator Cindy Weinstein is Professor of English and Executive Officer of Humanities at Caltech. Professor Weinstein’s broad understanding of 19th century American literature and culture and her scholarly focus on the reconfigured family in sentimental novels make her the perfect moderator for an evening filled with intellectual stimulation.